YearToAvoid

2005 Dodge Caravan Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 13 Caravan years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2005 Dodge Caravan has 537 owner complaints and 4 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 100 out of 100 — the highest of 13 Caravan model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is structure & body (216 complaints, 40% of the total). Complaints report 19 crashes and 19 injuries.

Complaints
537
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
19 / 0
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
—

Top 2005 Dodge Caravan problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body216 (40%)
  2. Electrical System191 (36%)
  3. Airbags49 (9%)
  4. Fuel System37 (7%)
  5. Engine29 (5%)
  6. Steering28 (5%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (5%)
  8. Brakes20 (4%)
  9. Visibility & Wipers16 (3%)
  10. Other15 (3%)
2005 Dodge Caravan complaints: complaints filed per quarter362004 Q32006 Q32008 Q32010 Q32012 Q32014 Q32016 Q32019 Q1
649 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2004 Q3 to 2023 Q1; peak 2010 Q1 (36).

2005 Dodge Caravan recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 10V008000Jan 11, 2010Airbags308,950 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2005-2006 dodge caravan, grand caravan and chrysler town & country vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, massachusetts, maine, maryland, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, tennessee, utah, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, alaska and the district of columbia. The front crash sensors may crack under certain environmental conditions and allow water to enter into the sensor. This can cause the sensor to become inoperative and illuminate the airbag warning light. These sensors were added to enhance the performance of the airbag system in certain frontal crashes.

    Risk: If the front crash sensors become inoperative, the driver is immediately alerted by illumination of the airbag warning light and the vehicle should be promptly serviced. Until the vehicle is repaired, the airbags may not provide the enhanced protection in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Chrysler will replace the front airbag sensors with a new design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety improvement campaign will begin during june 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

  2. NHTSA 07V192000May 3, 2007Airbags270,958 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

    Certain minivans are being recalled that were originally sold in or currently registered in the 27 states plus the district of columbia that use greater amounts of salt for winter road deicing. The up-front (uf) air bag sensors that contain brass bushings installed in these vehicles may corrode and crack allowing water to enter the sensor. These sensors provide enhanced air bag performance in certain types of frontal crashes.

    Risk: In one of these crashes, with one or both of the vehicle's uf sensors inoperative, the occupants will not benefit from the enhanced air bag protection that these sensors would provide.

    Remedy: For vehicles registered in the recall states, dealers will replace the original uf air bag sensors with ones with greater corrosion resistance. Vehicles registered in other states will obtain a lifetime free replacement of any uf sensor that fails. The campaign began on july 2, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

  3. NHTSA 06V067000Mar 8, 2006Visibility & Wipers268,800 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    On certain vans and sport utility vehicles, the front windshield wiper motor armature shaft may break.

    Risk: During certain operating conditions, loss of front windshield wiping capability could occur, and the driver's vision could be obscured which could result in a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper motor free of charge. The recall began on june 19, 2006, to dodge durango owners. Minivan owners will be notified during july 2006. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

See all 4 recalls for the 2005 Dodge Caravan →

2005 compared with other Caravan years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005Avoid1005374—
2006Avoid751732—
2007Caution50810—

All Dodge Caravan years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2005 Dodge Caravan a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Dodge Caravan ranks worst among Caravan model years (Complaint Index 100/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 537 complaints and 4 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Dodge Caravan?
The most reported problem areas are structure & body (216 complaints), electrical system (191 complaints), and airbags (49 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 65,000 miles.
Does the 2005 Dodge Caravan have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2005 Dodge Caravan, most recently reported 2010, covering airbags, visibility & wipers, and seat belts.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.